In Design
Warren County – Route 624 (Morgan Ford Road) bridge replacement |
Project Details
The low-water bridge over the Shenandoah River on Route 624 (Morgan Ford Road) will be replaced with a new two-lane bridge in the vicinity of Route 643 (Howellsville Road). This project in Warren County is located approximately 0.3 mile north of Route 643.
The existing multi-span bridge is a single lane structure built in 1925, which is 321 feet long with a single 11-foot wide lane.
The new bridge will be a two-lane structure located approximately 50 to 100 feet down-stream of the existing bridge. Approximately 600 feet long, the new bridge will be 32-feet wide. The approaches on either side of the bridge will have two 12-foot lanes with six-foot shoulders. Four-foot ditches will be provided where needed. The new bridge will be several feet higher than the existing structure.
There are no bicycle or pedestrian accommodations on the existing or new bridges.
At the existing bridge site there are easements with the Virginia Outdoor Foundation (VOF) on the north side and Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) property on the south side. Morgan Ford Boat Landing is on the southeastern side of the existing bridge.
In 2005 the traffic count on this portion of Route 624 was 1100 vehicles per day. This number is projected to increase to 1761 in the year 2028.
Construction of the project will consist of one of four options:
Option 1: On Route 624 south of the bridge the road will be built on new alignment following the general curve alignment of the current Route 624. The new bridge will be built just east (downstream) of the existing bridge structure. On the north side of the new bridge, Route 624 will be built on a new alignment and transition to the existing Route 624 several hundred feet from the river bank. During construction the existing bridge will stay open to accommodate traffic in the area. The total estimated project cost is $7,315,117 with $684,940 for preliminary engineering, $700,645 for right of way activities, and $5,929,532 for construction.
Option 2: On Route 624 south of the bridge the road will be built on new alignment, eliminating the sharp curve. The new bridge will be built just east (downstream) of the existing bridge structure. On the north side of the new bridge Route 624 will be built on a new alignment and transition to existing Route 624 several hundred feet from the river bank. During construction the existing bridge will stay open to accommodate traffic in the area. The total estimated project cost is $7,258,680 with $677,383 for preliminary engineering, $700,645 for right of way activities, and $5,880,652 for construction.
Option 3: On Route 624 south of the bridge the road will be built on new alignment, eliminating the sharp curve. The new bridge will be built on the site of the existing bridge. The existing road and bridge will be closed during construction and motorists will have to detour around the area. The approximate length of the detour is 15 miles. The total estimated project cost is $7,122,539 with $658,916 for preliminary engineering, $700,645 for right of way activities, and $5,762,978 for construction.
Option 4: No build
Media and Public Events
Citizen Information Meeting:
Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 4 – 7 p.m.
North Warren Fire Department
89 Rockland Road
Front Royal, VA 22630
Project Benefits
This project replaces an existing low-water and substandard narrow bridge over the Shenandoah River. The new bridge will be several feet higher than the existing structure and will provide a safer passage for traffic. Water overtopping situations on the new bridge will be less than overtopping occurrences on the existing bridge.
What’s Next
Location and Design approval – by fall 2011
Right of Way activities – fall 2011
Construction – spring 2014
